Prepayment-meter mechanism.



W. L. BROWN.

PREPAYMENT METER MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED OUT. 25,,1911.

Patented Jan. 12, 1915.

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fiwwzzzm @Wzz THE NORRIS PETERS C0,, PHOTD-LITHOU WASHINGTON, D. c,

W. L. BROWN. PRBPAYMENT METER MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED 001". 25, 1911.

1,125,002. Patented Jan. 12, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2'.

WITNESSVEI INQENTO? THE NORRIS PETFRS 60., PHOTOLITHO wAsHlNcroN. D c.

W. L. BROWN.

PREPAYMENT METER MECHANISM. APPLICATION FILED 001'. 25, 1911.

Patented Jan. 12, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

THE NORRIS PETERS c0.. PHOTO-LlTHO-. WASHINGTON, D, I

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM L. BROWN, 0F LANSDOWNE, PENNSYLVANIA.

PRE-PAYMENT-METER MECHANISM.

Application filed October 25, 1911.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, I/VILLIAM L. BROWN, ofLansdowne, in the county of Delaware and State of Iennsylvania, haveinvented a certain new and useful Improvement in Prepayment-MeterMechanism, whereof the following is a specification, reference being hadto the accompanying drawings.

My improvement relates to coin controlled vending machines, and isparticularly applicable to a gas meter to permit a valve to be manuallyopened upon the insertion of a coin; said valve being automaticallyclosed by the operation of the gas meter after delivery of a quantity ofgas predetermined by the number of coins inserted.

As hereinafter described, my invention includes the combination with avalve con trolling the passage of gas through the meter and having anoperating lever with a radial slot; of a valve closing shaft having ascrew worm operatively connected with the meter mechanism; a valveopening shaft having a screw worm operatively connected with coincontrolled operating means; means operativley connecting said valve withboth of said worms, including a train of planetary gearing and anoscillatory frame; a crank carried by said frame, arranged to open andclose said valve by engagement in the slot of said lever; and, a camcarried by said frame arranged to support said valve in open position,when said lever is released by said crank. My invention also includesthe various novel features of construction and arrangement hereinafterspecified.

In the drawings :-Figure I is a fragmentary plan sectional view of a gasmeter of ordinary construction embodying my invention, only the topplate of said meter being removed. Fig. II is a fragmentary verticalsectional view, taken on the line II, II, in Figs. I and III; showingthe planetary gearing in position to hold said gas valve open. Fig. IIIis a fragmentary vertical sectional view, taken on the line III,

II, in Figs. I and II. Fig. IV is a fragmentary sectional view similarto Fig. II but showing the planetary gearing in position to hold saidgas valve closed.

In said figures; the gas meter 1 has the inlet 2 by which the gas entersthe valve chamber 1, from which it may pass through the meter only byway of the port 5 under Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 12, 1915.

Serial No. 656,748.

control of the valve 6 carried by the arm 7 on the rock shaft 8. Saidshaft projects through the stufling box 9 into the chamber 10, fromwhich the gas is excluded, and has in the chamber 10 the lever 11 bywhich it may be operated. The meter mechanism beneath the floor 14 ofsaid chamber 10 is of ordinary construction, including diaphragmsoperatively connected with the rock shafts 15 respectively carrying thelever arms 16 pivotally connected by the links 17 with the adjustablewrist pin 18 on the crank 20. Said crank 20 is carried on the rotaryshaft 21 provided with the worm 22 engaging the worm gear 23 on the dialarbor 24:, and the latter is operatively connected with suitablemechanism in the dial box 26 to indicate upon the exterior of the meterthe quantity of gas which has been vended. Said dial arbor 24 carriesthe worm 28 engaging the worm gear 29 on the valve closing shaft 30;said gear 29 being operatively connected with said shaft 30 byfrictional engagement between the collars 31 and 32 under pressure ofthe triangular spring Said shaft 30 being journaled in the bearingbrackets 34 and 35 is provided at its opposite end with the externallyscrew threaded worm 36 engaging the sun gear 38 which is loose on theindicator shaft 39 but engaged with the planetary gear 41 on the countershaft 42 which is journaled in the oscillatory crank frame 43 (which istight on said indicator shaft 39,) and has at its opposite end theplanetary gear 45 engaging the sun gear 46 which is loose on saidindicator shaft 39 and engaged with the externally screw threaded worm48 on the shaft 19 which has the gear 50 shown inFig. IV for operativeconnection with the coin controlled mechanism in the casing 51. Said sungear 16 being held stationary by said worm 4:8 during the valve closingmovement effected by rotation of said shaft 30 by the meter mechanism,which turns the gears 38, 4:1 and 4:5 in the direction of the arrowsmarked thereon in Fig. III; said temporarily stationary sun gear 4:6 istraversed, as a rack, by the planetary gear 45 which thus carries saidcrank frame 43 in the direction of the arrow marked thereon in Fig. IVso that the bearing 52 concentric with the axis of said shaft 42, actsas a crank, eccentric with respect to said shaft 39, in engagement withthe slot 53 in said valve lever 11 to close the valve to the positionshown in Fig. IV. It may be observed that the cam 54 concentric withsaid shaft 39, but carried by said crank frame 43 is cut away, as bestshown in Fig. 11, so as to permit said lever 11 to approach the shaft 39to the extent indicated in Fig. IV. However, when said cam is turned inthe opposite direction by the valve opening movement of said train ofgearing, the surface of said cam concentric with said indicator shaft 39is presented in position to support said valve lever 11 in open positionwhen said lever is released by said crank 52. Fig. 11 shows the gearingturned to present said cam in such position. Said valve opening movementof the planetary gearing above described, is effected by the coincontrolled operating means in said casing 51 including the rotary coincarrier 56 having the handle 57 with the lug 58 arranged to encounterthe stops 59 and 60 on said casing. Said casing 51 has the coin inletslot 62 in which may be dropped a suitable coin, a quarter of a dollar,when the gate bar 63 which normally closes said slot is withdrawnthrough the notch 64 in the flange 65 on said handle 57. When a propercoin is inserted in said slot 62 to operatively connect said valveopening shaft 49 with said handle 51'; movement of said handle in thedirection of the arrow marked thereon, approximately one halfrevolution, rotates said shaft 49 in the direction of the arrows markedthereon, so that the worm 48 on said shaft, engaging said sun wheel 46turns the latter in the direction of the arrow marked thereon in Fig. IIthus turning the plane tary wheels 45 and 41 in the direction of thearrows marked thereon in Fig. II, so that, said sun wheel 38 being heldstationary by engagement with the worm 36, is traversed, as a rack, bythe planetary gear 41, thus turning the crank frame 48 in the directionof the arrow marked thereon in Fig. 11, so as to open said valve 6 fromthe position shown in Fig. IV to the position shown in Fig. 11. may besuccessively inserted in said slot 62 and said crank frame be therebysuccessively turned in the direction of the arrow marked thereon in Fig.II until the lower edge 67 of said frame encounters the collar 68 onsaid valve opening shaft 49, which thus serves as a relativelystationary stop limiting the opening movement of said planetary gearingand preventing further movement of said shaft 49 by frictionalengagement of said frame and collar. Each prepayment for gas, for whichthe consumer should be credited, and dispensation of gas, for which theconsumer should be debited, being manifested by respectively oppositeturning movements of said'shaft 39; I provide the latter with the index70 tight thereon, which in the initial position Thereupon, additionalcoins of the mechanism coincides with the stationary radial mark 71 inthe indicator casing 7 2, so that the amount of money or gas to thecredit of the consumer at any instant may be ascertained by reference tothe extent of angular displacement of said index 70 with respect to saidmark 71, which is on the dial 73.

It may be observed that although the valve opening shaft 49 and worm 48are normally stationary during the rotation of the valve closing shaft30 and its worm 36; the construction of the planetary gearing abovedescribed, is such as to permit the simultaneous rotation of said shaftsand worms which are respectively arranged to shift the valve in oppositedirections. Of

course, if said valve 6 has been shifted, by the valve closing mechanismabove described, to the closed position shown in Fig. IV, withoutstopping the flow of gas, (because of some obstruction between the valveand its seat, or for some other cause,) gas leaking past said valvetends to rotate the coin controlled valve opening mechanism in the samedirection as it would be turned by a coin. Therefore, it is to beparticularly noted that, because the gear 46 cannot drive the worm 48,said tendency is counteracted and such abnormal opening movement of thevalve prevented.

It is to be understood that I do not desire to limit myself to thespecific type of coin controlled operating means above described, or tothe precise details of construction and arrangement herein set forth, asit is obvious that various modifications may be made therein withoutdeparting from the essential features of my invention as defined in theappended claims.

I claim 1. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valvehaving an operating lever with a radial slot; of a valve closing shafthaving a screw worm operatively connected with the meter mechanism; avalve opening shaft having a screw worm; an in dicator shaft; a train ofplanetary gearing including two sun gears, both loose on said indicatorshaft, one engaging the worm on said valve closing shaft, and the otherengaging the worm on said valve opening shaft; an oscillatory crankframe tight on said indicator shaft; a counter shaft journaled in saidcrank frame; planetary gears respectively rigidly connected with saidcounter shaft and engaged with said two sun gears; a bearing for saidcounter shaft forming a crank pin arranged to engage in the slot of saidvalve lever; a cam carried by said crank frame, having a'surfaceconcentric with said indicator shaft arranged to support said valvelever in open position when said lever is released by said crank; and,an index carried by said indicator shaft; whereby respective rotarymovements of said worms, in the same direction, turn said crank frame inrespectively opposite directions to open and close said valve, and, saidindex indicates the status of the valve controlling mechanism.

2. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve having anoperating lever with a radial slot; of a valve closing shaft having anexternally screw threaded worm operatively connected with the metermechanism; a valve opening shaft having an externally screw threadedworm; an indicator shaft; a train of planetary gearing including two sungears, both loose on said indicator shaft, one engaging the worm on saidvalve closing shaft, and the other engaging the worm on said valveopening shaft; an oscillatory crank frame tight on said indicator shaft;a counter shaft journaled in said crank frame; planetary gearsrespectively rigidly connected with said counter shaft and engaged withsaid two sun gears; a bearing for said counter shaft forming a crank pinarranged to engage in the slot of said valve lever; and, a cam carriedby said crank frame, having a surface concentric with said sun gearshaft, arranged to support said valve lever in open position when saidlever is released by said crank; whereby respective rotary movements ofsaid worms turn said crank frame in respectively opposite directions toopen and close said valve.

8. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve having anoperating lever with a slot; of a valve closing shaft having anexternally screw threaded worm operatively connected with the metermechanism; a valve opening shaft having an externally screw threadedworm; an indicator shaft; a train of planetary gearing including two sungears, both loose on said indicator shaft, one engaging the worm on saidvalve closing shaft, and the other engaging the worm on said valveopening shaft; an oscillatory crank frame tight on said indicator shaft;a counter shaft journaled in said crank frame; planetary gearsrespectively rigidly connected with said counter shaft and engaged withsaid two sun gears; a crank on said frame arranged to engage in the slotof said valve lever; and, a cam carried by said crank frame, havingasurface concentric with said sun gear shaft, arranged to support saidvalve lever in open position when said lever is released by said crank;whereby alternate rotary movements of said worms turn said crank framein respectively opposite directions to open and close said valve.

4:. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve having anoperating lever; of a valve closlng shaft having a' screw wormoperatively connected with the meter mechanism; a valve opening shafthaving ascrew worm; an indicator shaft; a train of planetary gearingincluding two sun gears, both loose on said indicator shaft, oneengaging the worm on said valve closing shaft, and the other engagingthe worm on said valve opening shaft; an oscillatory crank frame tighton said indicator shaft; a counter shaft journaled in said crank frame;planetary gears respectively rigidly connected with said cou'nter shaftand engaged with said two sun gears; a crank on said frame arranged toengage said valve lever; and, a cam carried by said crank frame,arranged to support said valve lever in open position when said lever isreleased by said crank.

5. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve having anoperating lever; of a valve closing shaft having a screw wormoperatively connected withthe meter mechanism; a valve opening shafthaving a screw worm; an indicator shaft; a train of planetary gearingincluding two sun gears, both loose on said indicator shaft, oneengaging the worm on said valve'closing shaft, and the other engagingthe worm on said valve opening shaft; an oscillatory crank frame tighton said indicator shaft; a counter shaft journaled in said frame;

planetary gears respectively rigidly connected with said counter shaftand engaged with said two sun gears; a crank, operatively connected withsaid frame, arranged to engage said valve lever; and, a cam operativelyconnected with said crank frame, arranged to support said valve lever inopen positionwhen said lever is released by said crank.

6. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve having anoperating lever; of a valve closing shaft having a screw wormoperatively connected with the meter mechanism; a valve opening shafthaving a screw worm; an indicator shaft; a train of planetary gearingincluding two sun gears, both loose on said indicator shaft, oneengagingthe worm on said valve. closing shaft, and the other engaging the wormon said valve opening shaft; an oscillatory crank frame tight on saidindicator shaft; a counter shaft journaled in said frame; planetarygears respectively rigidly connected with said counter shaft and engagedwith said two sun gears; means, operatively con-nected with said frame,arranged to engage said valve lever; and, means, operatively connectedwith said frame, arranged to support said valve lever in open position.

7. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve; of a valveclosing shafthaving a screw wormoperatively connected with the metermechanism; a valve opening shaft having a screw worm; an

. said indicator shaft; a counter shaft journaled in said frame;planetary gears respec tively rigidly connected with said counter shaftand engaged with said two sun gears; means, operatively connected withsaid frame, arranged to engage said valve; and, means, operativelyconnected with said frame, arranged to support said valve in openposition.

8. In a prepayment gas meter, the combi-v nation with a valve; of avalve closing shaft operatively connected with the meter mechanism; avalve opening shaft; an indicator shaft; a train of planetary gearingincluding two sun gears, both loose on said indicator shaft, oneengaging the worm on said valve closing shaft, and the other engagingthe worm on said valve opening shaft; an oscillatory crank frame tighton said indicator shaft; a counter shaft journaled in said frame;planetary gears respectively rigidly connected with said counter shaftand engaged with said two sun gears; means, operatively connected withsaid frame, arranged to engage said valve; and, means, operativelyconnected with said frame, arranged to support said valve in openposition.

9. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve; of a valveclosing shaft operatively connected with the meter mechanism; a valveopening shaft; an indicator shaft; a train of planetary gearingincluding two sun gears, both loose on said indicator shaft, oneengaging the worm on said valve closing shaft, and the other engagingthe worm on said valve opening shaft; an oscillatory crank frame tighton said indicator shaft; a counter shaft journaled in said frame;planetary gears respectively rigidly connected with said counter shaftand engaged with said two sun gears; and, means, operatively connectedwith said frame, arranged to engage said valve.

10. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve having anoperating lever; of a valve closing shaft having a screw wormoperatively connected with the meter mechanism; a valve opening shafthaving a screw worm; means operatively connecting said lever with bothof said worms, including a train of planetary gearing and an oscillatoryframe; and, means, carried by said frame, arranged to support said valvelever in open position.

11. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve; of a valveclosing shaft having a screw worm operatively connected with the metermechanism; a valve opening shaft having a screw worm; means connectingsaid valve with both of said worms, including a train of planetarygearing and an oscillatory frame; and, means, carried by said frame,arranged to support said valve in open position.

12. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve; of a valveclosing shaft operatively connected with the meter mechanism; a valveopening shaft; means operatively connecting said valve with both of saidshafts, including a train of planetary gearing and an oscillatory frame;and, means, carried by said frame, having a surface arranged to supportsaid valve in open position, when said valve is released by the openingmeans.

13. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve; of a valveclosing shaft operatively connected with the meter mechanism; a valveopening shaft; and, means operatively connecting said valve with both ofsaid shafts, including an oscillatory shaft, having a frame thereon anda train of planetary gearing including a sun worm gear loose on saidoscillatory shaft, and a planetary gear carried by said frame inengagement with said sun gear.

"1 f. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve; of avalve closing shaft operatively connected with the meter mechanism; avalve opening shaft; and, means operatively connecting said valve withboth of said shafts, including an oscillatory shaft, having a frametight there-' on, a train of planetary gearing including two sun gears,both loose on said oscillatory shaft, and two planetary gears carried bysaid frame and respectively engaging said sun gears.

15. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve; of a valveclosing shaft operatively connected with the meter mechanism; a valveopening shaft; means operatively connecting said valve with both of saidshafts; including a train of planetary gearing and an oscillatory frame;and, means limiting the movement of said frame, including a collar onsaid valve opening shaft.

16. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve having anoperating lever; of a valve closing shaft; a valve opening shaft; inparallel spaced relation with said closing shaft; two worms respectivelytight on said respective shafts; planetary gearing operativelyconnecting said shafts, including a shaft extending transversely withrespect to said opening and closing shafts, two sun wheels in axialalinement and loose on said transverse shaft, and respectively engagedwith said worms; an oscillatory crank frame, tight on said transverseshaft, and carrying two axially alined planetary wheels respectively inengagement with said sun wheels; and means, including a crank on saidoscillatory frame, operatively connecting said frame with said valveoperating lever; whereby said valve may be opened and closed.

17. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve having anoperating lever; of a valve closing shaft; a valve opening shaft, inparallel spaced relation with said closing shaft; two worms respectivelytight on said respective shafts; planetary gearing operativelyconnecting said shafts, including a shaft extending transversely withrespect to said opening and closing shafts, two sun wheels in axialalinement and loose on said transverse shaft, and respectively engagedwith said worms; an oscillatory crank frame, tight on said transverseshaft, and carrying two axially alined planetary wheels respectively inengagement with said sun wheels; and means, on said oscillatory frame,operatively connecting said frame with said valve operating lever;whereby said valve may be opened and closed.

18. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve having anoperating lever; of a valve closing shaft; a valve opening shaft, inparallel spaced relation with said closing shaft; two worms respectivelytight on said respective shafts; planetary gearing operativelyconnecting said shafts,

including a shaft extending transversely with respect to said openingand closing shafts, two sun wheels in axial alinement and loose on saidtransverse shaft, and respectively engaged with said worms; anoscillatory crank frame, tight on said transverse shaft, and carryingtwo axially alined planetary wheels respectively in engagement with saidsun wheels; and means, operatively connecting said frame with said valveoperating lever; whereby said valve may be opened and closed.

19. In a prepayment gas meter, the com bination with a valve having anoperating lever; of a valve closing shaft; a valve opening shaft, inparallel spaced relation with said closing shaft; two worms respectivelytight on said respective shafts; planetary gearing operativelyconnecting said shafts, including a shaft extending transversely withrespect to said opening and closing shafts, two sun wheels in axialalinement and loose on said transverse shaft, and respectively engagedwith said worms; an oscillatory crank frame, on said transverse shaft,and carrying two axially alined planetary wheels respectively inengagement with said sun wheels; and means, including a crank on saidoscillatory frame, operatively connecting said frame with said valveoperating lever; whereby said valve may be opened and closed.

20. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve having anoperating lever; of a valve closing shaft; a valve opening shaft, inparallel spaced relation with said closing shaft; two worms respectivelytight on said respective shafts; planetary gearing operativelyconnecting said shafts, including a shaft extending transversely withrespect to said opening and closing shafts, two sun wheels in axialalinement and loose on said transverse shaft, and respectively engagedwith said worms; an oscillatory crank frame carrying two axially alinedplanetary wheels respectively in engagement with said sun wheels; andmeans operatively connecting said frame with said valve operating lever;whereby said valve may be opened and closed.

21. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve having anoperating lever; of a valve closing shaft; a valve opening shaft, inparallel spaced relation with said closing shaft; two worms respectivelytight on said respective shafts; planetary gearing operativelyconnecting said shafts, including two sun wheels in axial alinement andrespectively engaged with said worms; an oscillatory crank framecarrying two axially alined planetary wheels respectively in engagementwith said sun wheels; and means operatively connecting said frame withsaid valve operating lever; whereby said valve may be opened and closed.

22. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve having anoperating lever; of a valve closing shaft; a valve opening shaft, inparallel spaced relation with said closing shaft; two worms respectivelytight on said respective shafts; planetary gearing operativelyconnecting said shafts, including two sun wheels respectively engagedwith said worms; an oscillatory crank frame carrying two axially alinedplanetary wheels respectively in engagement with said sun wheels; andmeans operatively connecting said frame with said valve operating lever;whereby said valve may be opened and closed. i

23. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve having anoperating lever; of a valve closing shaft; a valve opening shaft, inparallel spaced relation with said closing shaft; two worms respectivelytight on said respective shafts; planetary gearing operativelyconnecting said shafts, including two sun-wheels respectively .engagedwith said worms; an oscillatory crank frame carrying two planetarywheels respectively in engagement with said sun wheels; and meansoperatively connecting said frame with said valve operating lever;whereby said valve may be opened and closed.

24:. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve; of a valveoperating lever having a slot; means arranged to open and close saidvalve, including an 0scillatory frame having a crank arranged to engagesaid slot, a cam concentric with the axis of said frame arranged touphold said valve lever with the valve in open position, and a train ofplanetary gearing including two sun wheels of different diameters, inconcentric relation with the axis of said frame, two planetary gears ofdifferent diameters, in concentric relation with said crank andrespectively engaged with said sun wheels, two worms respectivelyengaged with said sun wheels, a valve closing shaft rigidly connectedwith the worm engaging the larger of said sun wheels and operativelyconnected with the meter mechanism, and a valve opening shaft rigidlyconnected with the worm engaging the smaller of said sun wheels.

25. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve; of a valveoperating lever having a slot; means arranged to open and close saidvalve, including an oscillatory frame having a crank arranged to engagesaid slot, a cam concentric with the axis of said frame arranged touphold said valve lever with the valve in open position, and a train ofplanetary gearing including two sun wheels in concentric relation withthe axis of said frame, two planetary gears in concentric relation withsaid crank and respectively engaged with said sun wheels,

two worms respectively engaged with said sun wheels, a valve closingshaft rigidly connected with one of said worms and operatively connectedwith the meter mechanism, and a valve opening shaft rigidly connectedwith the other .of said worms.

26. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve; of a valveoperating lever; means arranged to open and close said valve, includingan oscillatory frame having a crank arranged to operate. said lever, acam concentric withthe axis of said frame arranged to uphold said valvelever with the valve in open position, and a train of planetary gearingincluding two sun wheels in concentric relation with the axis of saidframe, two planetary gears in concentric relation with said crank andrespectively engaged with said sun wheels, two worms respectivelyengaged with said sun wheels, a valve closing shaft rigidly con nectedwith one of said worms and operatively connected with the metermechanism, and a valve opening shaft rigidly connected with the other ofsaid worms.

27. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve; of a valveoperating lever; means arranged to open and close said valve, includingan oscillatory frame having a crank arranged to operate said lever, acam concentric with the axis of said frame arranged to uphold said valvein open position, and a train of planetary gearing including two sunwheels in concentric relation with the axis of said frame, two planetarygears in concentric relation with said crank and respectively engagedwith said sun wheels, and two worms respectively engaged with said sunwheels.

28. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve; of a valveoperating lever; means arranged to open and close said valve, includingan oscillatory frame having a crank arranged to operate said lever, acam arranged to uphold said valve lever with the valve in open position,and a train of planetary gearing including two sun wheels in concentricrelation with the axis of said frame, two planetary gears in concentricrelation with said crank and re spectively engaged with said sun wheels,and two worms respectively engaged with said sun wheels.

29. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve; of a valveoperating lever having a slot; means arranged to open and close saidvalve, including an oscillatory frame having a crank arranged to engagesaid. slot, and a train of planetary gearing including two sun wheels ofdifferent diameters, in concentric relation with the axis of said frame,two planetary gears of different diameters, in concentric relation withsaid crank and respectively engaged with said sun wheels, two wormsrespectively engaged with said sun wheels, a valve closing shaft rigidlyconnected with the worm engaging the larger of said sun wheels andoperatively connected with the meter mechanism, and a valve openingshaft rigidly connected with the worm engaging the smaller of said sunwheels.

30. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve; of a valveoperating lever having a slot; means arranged to open and close saidvalve, including an oscillatory frame having a crank arranged to engagesaid slot, and a train of planetary gearing including two sun wheels inconcentric relation with the axis of said frame, two planetary gears inconcentric, relation with said crank and respectively engaged with saidsun wheels, two worms respectively engaged with said sun wheels, a valveclosing shaft rigidly connected with one of said worms and operativelyconnected with the meter mechanism, and a valve opening shaft rigidlyconnected with the other of said worms.

31. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve; of a valveoperating lever; means arranged to open and close said valve, includingan oscillatory frame having a crank arranged to operate said lever, anda train of planetary gearing including two sun wheels. in concentricrelation with the axis of said frame, two planetary gears in concentricrelation with said crank and respectively engaged with said sun wheels,two worms respectively engaged with said sun wheels, a valve closingshaft rigidly connected with, one of said worms and operativelyconnected with the meter mechanism, and a valve opening shaft rigidlyconnected with the other of said worms.

32. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a valve; of a valveoperating lever; means arranged to open and close said valve, includingan oscillatory frame having a crank arranged to operate said lever, anda train of planetary gearing including two sun wheels in concentricrelation with the axis of said frame, two planetary gears in concentricrelation with said crank and respectively engaged with said sun wheels,and two worms respectively engaged with said sun wheels.

33. In a prepayment gas meter, the combination with a Valve; of a Valveoperating lever; and means arranged to open ano close said valve,including an oscillatory framehaving a crank arranged to cooperate withsaid lever, and a train of planetary gearing including a sun, wheel uponthe axis of oscillation of said frame and a planetary gear concentricwith said crank.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name at Philadelphia,Pennsylvania, this 23rd day of October, 1911.

WILLIAM L. BROWN.

Witnesses:

ALLEN M. TORREY, HARRY A. MARSHALL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe "Commissioner of 2mm, Wuhlngton, D. 0."

